ANGRY Mark Hughes has accused Manchester City’s Arab owners of treachery and moving the goalposts as his replacement Roberto ­Mancini faced up to a ­dressing-room revolt.

Hughes claimed the indecent speed of Mancini’s appointment underlined City’s hierarchy had been working behind his back for weeks, even though he was on course to meet the club’s top-six target agreed in pre-season.

Mancini will only get the job, it is understood, on a long-term basis if he guides City into the top four by the end of the season.

He will take his first training session this morning facing a backlash from City players, who are furious at the manner and timing of Hughes’ dismissal. Stars including Craig Bellamy and Shay Given believe he has been treated disgracefully – and Hughes himself has refused to go quietly.

He said last night: “Given the speed with which my successor’s appointment was announced, it would appear that the club had made its decision some considerable time ago.

“I was informed after yesterday’s match against Sunderland that my contract was being terminated with immediate effect.

“I was given no forewarning as to the club’s decision. I am extremely disappointed not to have been given the opportunity to see through my plans at the club.

“At the beginning of the season I sat down with the owners and it was agreed that a realistic target for the season would be sixth place in the Premier League, or in the region of

70 points. All of this was communicated to the players and we knew where we stood.

“While everyone at the club would obviously have wanted to see more wins, we were absolutely on target.”

Hughes had 18 months left on his contract and will receive a pay-off of more than £1.5million.

He added: “I’m very proud of the fact that I steered the club through the most significant period of change in its history.

“I have always been aware of the responsibility that comes with being afforded the luxury of a significant transfer budget.

“I very much regret, however, that I will not now be able to enjoy the success that would undoubtedly have followed.

“I believe that I have handled with dignity the recent pressure placed upon me by speculation.

“I
would like to thank the fans for their support and particularly at this
difficult time. I wish the club every success, particularly in relation
to the forthcoming Carling Cup semi-final, the club’s first semi-final
for 28 years.”

City players are understood to
be as unimpressed by Mancini’s appointment as they are furious at
Hughes’ dismissal. All his backroom staff, Mark Bowen, Eddie
Niedzwiecki, Kevin Hitchcock and Glyn Hodges, have also been sacked by
club owner Skeikh Mansour.

Mancini will be
unveiled at the City of Manchester Stadium today, but Garry Cook will
not be sitting alongside him because City do not want their chief
executive becoming the main focus of media scrutiny after the club’s
shabby treatment of Hughes.

Mancini has been
out of the game for 18 months since leaving Inter Milan where he won
three Serie A titles – although one was devalued by Juventus being
stripped of the title and another because rivals AC Milan had been
deducted points in the same scandal.

“I’m very
happy and motivated for this new adventure,” said Mancini, whose
assistant will be former Manchester United No2, Brian Kidd, who joined
City’s Academy in September. ‘I believe I handled pressure with dignity’